Sunday, September 2, 2012

Ordinary Not Boring

Today is the 22nd
Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our priest’s vestments distinguish in that the colors are
rich—verdant. The embroidery on the outer robe threads pictures in an
Oriental style. Sewn on the back is the Virgin Mary slender, standing with
her infant son Jesus. She is graced with a lithe white gown— silky hair shadows
her profile. Her face is suggests fine features and porcelain skin. A halo frames
Jesus’ cherubic head.

Ordinary Time is one of
the five liturgical seasons of the Roman Catholic Church. Symbolizing this
season is green, the color of hope. As a convert, I was introduced to this at
the age of 33. I found the word, ‘ordinary’ peculiar. The word annoyed me.
Nothing in Christ’s Church should be considered ordinary.

But
like so many things learned later that sooner, I realize that our language
commands a variety of derivatives. Here are a few from an English garden: uniformity,
symmetry, harmony, precision, methodical, plan, and course.

I Corinthians 14:33 …since
he is not the God of disorder but of peace.

It has been said that
we tend to have a disdain for the mundane. But in that day to day discipline,
we recognize the special graces when they ‘happen’
along.

'No news is good news' is
another that we are familiar. Personally, with the chaos that our world is
tending towards, I’m grateful when not much is going on. It means that Rosary
prayers are subtly answered. My children are safe. Our bills are paid. Water
flows freely from the faucet. Our pantry is full.